CHICAGO - Saint Xavier University senior kicker Shane Longest (Wilmington, Ill./Wilmington) is highlighted in the latest issue (Feb. 4) of Sports Illustrated's "Faces in the Crowd" section (page 28) for his exceptional accomplishments during the 2007 football season as well as his recent invite to participate at the 2008 NFL Scouting Combine later this month in Indianapolis. Longest is the third SXU athlete to be featured in the "Faces in the Crowd" portion of the national publication joining former Cougar men's basketball player Jabari Saunders (Feb. 14, 2005 issue) and former SXU softball standout Colleen Kilduff (July 3-10, 2006 double issue).

Longest will be the lone NAIA player represented at this year's Combine after wrapping up an extremely successful playing career at SXU finishing as the school's all-time leading scorer with 317 total points and holding numerous school records including longest field goal (55 yards), most field goals in a game (5), most points in a game by a kicker (18), most extra points in a game (7), and most points by a kicker in a season (128). He set a new NAIA mark last fall for field goals made in a single season with 27 and was named to the 2007 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA)-NAIA All-America Team.

Longest is one of just four placekickers nationwide to receive an invite to the NFL Scouting Combine. He is also the first player in Saint Xavier University history to get invited to this prestigious event. The NFL Scouting Combine offers only the best draft eligible players an opportunity to meet the decision makers of all 32 NFL teams in anticipation of the annual NFL Draft. It is the only time that all 32 NFL teams will be in one place and have an opportunity to evaluate the very best players on an equal stage and is the ultimate four-day job interview for the top college football players eligible for the upcoming NFL Draft.